Is Selection Necessary for Evolution? A Dynamics of Coastal Population of India

Abstract

Nature provides a good opportunity to understand the dynamics of evolution. The country has a huge coastline, which experiences socio-cultural and natural vulnerability. The aim of the paper has been to describe the pattern of selection intensity among the east and west coastal populations of India. Differential fertility and mortality were collected from 2,099 females (mothers) of the western coasts of India, and secondary data were collected from the eastern coast of India for comparison purposes. Selection potential was computed using Crow’s index and Johnston & Kensinger’s index. The data involved a total of 7,512 pregnancies during their reproductive lifespan and the successful outcomes (live births) were 7,073. The total index (It) for eastern coast varied from 0.221 to 1.078. For the west coast, it varied from 0.262 to 0.617. Among the eastern coastal population groups, the mortality component of selection is comparatively higher than its fertility component, while it is just the reverse among the western coastal population groups.